Box Score

Seton Hill opened play in the 2013 NCAA Division II Atlantic Regional against the number four seed Shippensburg University on Thursday evening.  The tournament is being hosted by Winston Salem State University at Wake Forest's Gene Hooks Field.  The Griffins used the arms of Alex Haines and Mike Bittel and the bat of Josh Forbes to advance with a 4-1 victory.  SHU improves to 40-15 overall.    
 
Shippensburg jumped out to a 1-0 lead in the top of the second inning on a solo homer with one out.  The Griffins were able to get their first hit of the contest when Dan Abbenante singled in the third inning.  The Griffins threatened in the fourth with runners on first and third with one out but a strikeout and fly out ended the threat. 
 
Seton Hill took a 2-1 lead in the bottom of the sixth.  Brendan Costantino reached on an error and moved to third when Pat McCarthy doubled down the left field line.  Nick Sell was walked to load the bases.  The Griffins then scored two runs when Mike Cima reached on an error.  The Griffins loaded the bases again with one out but two strikeouts ended the threat.   Cima led off the eighth with a single and scored when Josh Forbes went yard to give the Griffins a 4-1 lead.
 
Alex Haines earned the win.  He went 7 innings, giving up 1 run on 6 hits.  He struck out 6.  Mike Bittel earned the save by throwing 2 scoreless innings.  He struck out two and gave up 2 hits.  Five different Griffins each had 1 hit.
 
The Griffins advance to face East Stroudsburg in tomorrow evening's 6 PM contest.  East Stroudsburg rallied to defeat host Winston Salem State 8-6 in 10 innings on Thursday.